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The Arizona Triangle
In the vein of the bestselling California noirs of Sue Grafton and Sara Gran, a whodunnit about loyalty, love, and the legacy of trauma featuring a hardboiled, queer private eye whose latest case takes her deep into her own complicated past.
On the cusp of forty, Justine Bailen, better known as Jo, works for an all-female detective agency based in Tucson, Arizona. While staking out a cheating spouse, she learns that her long-estranged best friend from childhood, Rose, is missing, and that Rose’s mother wants to hire Jo to find her. This case is all kinds of wrong for Jo, but she has no choice but to head back to her hometown, an hour north and a world away from Tucson.
Back in Delphi, she learns that her high school boyfriend, Tyler—who is probably part of the reason her friendship with Rose went south—is the cop assigned to the case. It doesn’t take long for Jo to realize that he’s all mixed up in it, too. To have any hope of learning the truth about Rose’s disappearance, Jo must finally face the demons she thought she’d escaped.
On the cusp of forty, Justine Bailen, better known as Jo, works for an all-female detective agency based in Tucson, Arizona. While staking out a cheating spouse, she learns that her long-estranged best friend from childhood, Rose, is missing, and that Rose’s mother wants to hire Jo to find her. This case is all kinds of wrong for Jo, but she has no choice but to head back to her hometown, an hour north and a world away from Tucson.
Back in Delphi, she learns that her high school boyfriend, Tyler—who is probably part of the reason her friendship with Rose went south—is the cop assigned to the case. It doesn’t take long for Jo to realize that he’s all mixed up in it, too. To have any hope of learning the truth about Rose’s disappearance, Jo must finally face the demons she thought she’d escaped.
292 pages, Paperback
Published October 22, 2024
188 people are currently reading
9960 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
January 14, 2025
4 solid stars. I really liked this mystery with a strong, queer female P.I. set in my home state! It’s perhaps a bit slower than I’d have liked but I found it kept my interest - I particularly loved the So. Arizona setting🏜️, although the changing of Oracle, AZ into “Delphi” and similar swaps was a bit confusing till I read another GR users review. If there are more to come, then I will read them!
June 9, 2025
I’m currently reading a book that is dense on many levels and at times leaves me mentally and emotionally exhausted. (It would appear that I can take one or the other in stride, but apparently not the combination.)
I needed a break, and for an IRL crime fiction book club challenge this month I am supposed to read a book that is set it a hot climate. Skimming down my TBR I noticed this and it seemed to fit the bill.
It’s a pretty good mystery, along the lines of the Kinsey Millhone or Sharon McCone series. (The blurb also mentions Sara Gran, but take my word for it, there is no connection there.) The MC, Justine/Jo Bailen, grew up in an artsy-commune environment in Delphi, AZ near Tucson. (Seems to be based on Oracle, AZ, but you probably don’t need to be a seer to make that connection.). She’s now pushing 40 and works for an all-woman detective agency in Tucson.
She’s called back to Delphi to investigate when a childhood friend goes missing. The setup seems simple enough, but before long the multitude of characters, family histories and highly charged social topics begin to jostle with one another for the reader’s attention. Jo describes herself as “sexually omnivorous”, so there’s that to factor in as well. And then there’s the dog that adopts her; it’s supposed to be an Affenpinscher mix, but the non-Affenpinscher part must be a large breed because this dog routinely covers a lot more territory than any Affenpinscher I’ve known could handle. But it is cute.
All of this is a lot. The core of the plot is the childhood relationship between Jo and her old friend, and Graves spends far too much time having Jo ponder fruitlessly about what went wrong, going over and over the same memories. In between times she pursues all of those other issues.
I did love all the descriptions of Tucson and the surrounding areas. It’s always been my favorite part of Arizona and it was fun to vicariously revisit. And Jo’s wisecracks are often entertaining, although at times they can be jarring set against the more serious topics at hand.
At the end of the day I think the book would have benefited from a judicious editing. You know that thing where you write an email (or maybe a GR review) and when you’re done you read it over and say to yourself “This seriously needs a rewrite.”? I wish Graves had done that with this book because it has the potential to be better than it is.
I needed a break, and for an IRL crime fiction book club challenge this month I am supposed to read a book that is set it a hot climate. Skimming down my TBR I noticed this and it seemed to fit the bill.
It’s a pretty good mystery, along the lines of the Kinsey Millhone or Sharon McCone series. (The blurb also mentions Sara Gran, but take my word for it, there is no connection there.) The MC, Justine/Jo Bailen, grew up in an artsy-commune environment in Delphi, AZ near Tucson. (Seems to be based on Oracle, AZ, but you probably don’t need to be a seer to make that connection.). She’s now pushing 40 and works for an all-woman detective agency in Tucson.
She’s called back to Delphi to investigate when a childhood friend goes missing. The setup seems simple enough, but before long the multitude of characters, family histories and highly charged social topics begin to jostle with one another for the reader’s attention. Jo describes herself as “sexually omnivorous”, so there’s that to factor in as well. And then there’s the dog that adopts her; it’s supposed to be an Affenpinscher mix, but the non-Affenpinscher part must be a large breed because this dog routinely covers a lot more territory than any Affenpinscher I’ve known could handle. But it is cute.
All of this is a lot. The core of the plot is the childhood relationship between Jo and her old friend, and Graves spends far too much time having Jo ponder fruitlessly about what went wrong, going over and over the same memories. In between times she pursues all of those other issues.
I did love all the descriptions of Tucson and the surrounding areas. It’s always been my favorite part of Arizona and it was fun to vicariously revisit. And Jo’s wisecracks are often entertaining, although at times they can be jarring set against the more serious topics at hand.
At the end of the day I think the book would have benefited from a judicious editing. You know that thing where you write an email (or maybe a GR review) and when you’re done you read it over and say to yourself “This seriously needs a rewrite.”? I wish Graves had done that with this book because it has the potential to be better than it is.
October 21, 2024
This started off strong and I was completely invested in the story! I love Sue Grafton so I was excited by the premise and the comparison. I could kind of see the comparison, but only in the strong female detective role. The case was good and the character development in the book interesting. However, there was a weird sexual aspect to this book throughout that didn’t really connect with the tone of the book. The ending itself was a huge disappointment.
October 21, 2024
I really enjoyed the Arizona setting and the unique voice and character of Jo Bailen. The writing gave a strong sense of place and there were many characters that felt like likely suspects. I didn’t like the ending because it was impossible to see coming (yes, that can be a good thing but in this case it was completely out of left field so it took away the fun of playing detective as the reader) and also it was an incredibly dark and disturbing exposition. Since this is the first book in a Jo Bailen detective series I will look for subsequent books as I enjoyed the writing style and many of the choices, including diverse characters, but I hope the next book gives the reader a reasonable chance at solving the mystery along with Jo.
October 22, 2024
2.5 rounded up
This is the start of a new series about private investigator Justine Bailen, better known as Jo, who works at an all female detective agency in Tucson, AZ. In this 1st book, Jo is working a case about a cheating spouse when she gets called in to work another case. Her estranged childhood best friend, Rose, has gone missing, and her mother wants Jo to find her. Jo hasn't spoken to Rose in years and thinks she's the wrong person for the job but has no choice but to take it. She makes her way back to her hometown of Delphi to investigate. She quickly learns her high school boyfriend, Tyler, is the officer assigned to the case. Tyler, Rose, and Jo have a very complicated history. Can Tyler and Jo work together to find Rose? Can Jo face her past demons to find her estranged friend?
I really had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, the beginning of this book was a bit slow, and the jaw-dropping twist near the end was seriously disturbing! There's not much that bothers me in books, but the outcome seriously had me saying WTF! I would highly recommend checking trigger warnings if you decide to read this one. I was also not the biggest fan of the writing style. I did, however, enjoy the Arizona setting, and there were some entertaining parts. I was also intrigued by the mystery. Even though this wasn't for me, it could be for you.
This is the start of a new series about private investigator Justine Bailen, better known as Jo, who works at an all female detective agency in Tucson, AZ. In this 1st book, Jo is working a case about a cheating spouse when she gets called in to work another case. Her estranged childhood best friend, Rose, has gone missing, and her mother wants Jo to find her. Jo hasn't spoken to Rose in years and thinks she's the wrong person for the job but has no choice but to take it. She makes her way back to her hometown of Delphi to investigate. She quickly learns her high school boyfriend, Tyler, is the officer assigned to the case. Tyler, Rose, and Jo have a very complicated history. Can Tyler and Jo work together to find Rose? Can Jo face her past demons to find her estranged friend?
I really had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, the beginning of this book was a bit slow, and the jaw-dropping twist near the end was seriously disturbing! There's not much that bothers me in books, but the outcome seriously had me saying WTF! I would highly recommend checking trigger warnings if you decide to read this one. I was also not the biggest fan of the writing style. I did, however, enjoy the Arizona setting, and there were some entertaining parts. I was also intrigued by the mystery. Even though this wasn't for me, it could be for you.
November 15, 2024
Meh. I expected more of Kate Christensen, who is Sydney Graves. The writing was hard boiled, which was fine, but the mystery was only half baked, with lots of lead up to a quick climax where the murderer was no one you could have guessed. In addition, much of the murderous motivation centered around past sexual childhood trauma, which felt icky and like a cheap way to gain reader sympathy quickly. Fun to see a favorite author branch out, but this was a flop for me.
November 14, 2024
I picked this book because it was set in Arizona, but unfortunately it seems like the author had a huge dislike for the Phoenix area which was disappointing. The story is mainly set in a town called Delphi, a more rural area outside of Tucson, Arizona. Jo is a detective who is requested to help investigate the disappearance of her estranged best friend Rose. They had a falling out in high school and never talked again. Now Rose's mother is asking for Jo's help. So, she goes back to her hometown of Delphi and experiences the rush of her past.
I was really looking forward to this one, unfortunately I was left disappointed. The ending was very unexpected and deeply disturbing. It was a bit slow for me, and there were several editing mistakes. I think I will have to pass on another book by this author.
I was really looking forward to this one, unfortunately I was left disappointed. The ending was very unexpected and deeply disturbing. It was a bit slow for me, and there were several editing mistakes. I think I will have to pass on another book by this author.
December 4, 2024
Sadly, I didn’t end up caring much for this one. I am a sucker for a good ‘detective returns to small hometown to solve crime’ setup, so my interest was piqued by The Arizona Triangle. My interest began to wane, however, not too far into the book. The mystery was really meandering.
Ultimately, I felt that the ‘big reveal’ in this was mainly for shock value, rather than being the impetus for the murders and the overarching mystery.
Thank you to Harper Paperbacks for my copy!
Ultimately, I felt that the ‘big reveal’ in this was mainly for shock value, rather than being the impetus for the murders and the overarching mystery.
Thank you to Harper Paperbacks for my copy!
January 2, 2025
Another addition to the growing number of women detectives and here somewhat on the noir side. Her character and detecting are enjoyable enough, and her lesbian love life adds to the genre, but here is another sleuth for whom the murderer comes as a complete surprise despite the very low number of potential suspects. I think a heroine who isn’t actually very good at solving murders doesn’t have much of a future.
June 12, 2025
3.5 stars
A queer, 40-something private eye working in Arizona is hired to look into the suspicious death of her childhood best friend, and the trip back to her small hometown takes her on a troubling deep dive into her own past. Written under a pseudonym by Kate Christensen, author of literary novels.
A queer, 40-something private eye working in Arizona is hired to look into the suspicious death of her childhood best friend, and the trip back to her small hometown takes her on a troubling deep dive into her own past. Written under a pseudonym by Kate Christensen, author of literary novels.
October 2, 2024
I struggled to complete this book. The storyline did not hold my attention and I did not connect with the characters. I also had a hard time keeping everyone straight. Thank you HarperCollins for the ARC.
May 9, 2025
3.68
The characters are messy and very believable. Time and time again, people will unfailingly come into conflict over love, money, and family.
Jo was well-rounded, with the right amount of nosiness and cleverness to find and piece clues together. I was very disappointed that she didn't even deduce the killer herself, however. Sure she had the trail and was very close, but they ended up revealing themselves. That's also a sign of her well-roundedness; she's not always going to be the best judge of character as she lets her own biases cloud her perspective. There are several instances of this.
First, she underestimates and sort of dismisses her boss's teenage niece as being an incompetent assistant that makes pet rat videos for TikTok. The first part is technically true, but she was actually making a movie about her rat as her film school application, which Jo finds out later. Then, she briefly projects a white, privileged background onto a young college student who may have been taken advantage of by his professor. Her view of him changes instantly the moment she finds out he's half Hopi. Lastly, she views Savannah as a young girl who is barely formed and without a real personality yet, despite being twenty-one.
Her view of these youthful characters caused her to overlook them in ways that harmed her investigation. I would say it's well done, with the outcome making sense considering how Jo thinks.
One thing I was annoyed by was Jo's overstated lustfulness. It felt almost sleazy, the features she noticed and thoughts she had about beautiful women. Almost what one would expect from a male writer. I'm also someone who strongly prefers a "fade to black" scenario when it comes to sex scenes, so while the one in this book was not drawn out, it was too detailed for my tastes.
Maybe that was part of the issue in and of itself. On one hand, all the details of everyone's interior design choice really built up the character of the people residing within and the atmosphere of the artist's commune. On the other hand it also can get rather tiring reading about the blankets and wall art and tables owned by the people Jo is questioning. She questions a lot of people in their homes.
I do think her and Lupita's developing relationship was rather nicely done, along with some potential growth for Jo and her mother at the end. While the story is sad, Jo definitely grew the most, given that she's allowing herself to commit more to long term relationships after not having been able to repair her oldest and most cherished friendship. I hope she and and her new dog, Ophelia have a long and happy life together.
The characters are messy and very believable. Time and time again, people will unfailingly come into conflict over love, money, and family.
Jo was well-rounded, with the right amount of nosiness and cleverness to find and piece clues together. I was very disappointed that she didn't even deduce the killer herself, however. Sure she had the trail and was very close, but they ended up revealing themselves. That's also a sign of her well-roundedness; she's not always going to be the best judge of character as she lets her own biases cloud her perspective. There are several instances of this.
First, she underestimates and sort of dismisses her boss's teenage niece as being an incompetent assistant that makes pet rat videos for TikTok. The first part is technically true, but she was actually making a movie about her rat as her film school application, which Jo finds out later. Then, she briefly projects a white, privileged background onto a young college student who may have been taken advantage of by his professor. Her view of him changes instantly the moment she finds out he's half Hopi. Lastly, she views Savannah as a young girl who is barely formed and without a real personality yet, despite being twenty-one.
Her view of these youthful characters caused her to overlook them in ways that harmed her investigation. I would say it's well done, with the outcome making sense considering how Jo thinks.
One thing I was annoyed by was Jo's overstated lustfulness. It felt almost sleazy, the features she noticed and thoughts she had about beautiful women. Almost what one would expect from a male writer. I'm also someone who strongly prefers a "fade to black" scenario when it comes to sex scenes, so while the one in this book was not drawn out, it was too detailed for my tastes.
Maybe that was part of the issue in and of itself. On one hand, all the details of everyone's interior design choice really built up the character of the people residing within and the atmosphere of the artist's commune. On the other hand it also can get rather tiring reading about the blankets and wall art and tables owned by the people Jo is questioning. She questions a lot of people in their homes.
I do think her and Lupita's developing relationship was rather nicely done, along with some potential growth for Jo and her mother at the end. While the story is sad, Jo definitely grew the most, given that she's allowing herself to commit more to long term relationships after not having been able to repair her oldest and most cherished friendship. I hope she and and her new dog, Ophelia have a long and happy life together.
December 8, 2024
A Review of "The Arizona Triangle"
by Kate Christensen, aka “Sydney Graves”
By Three Sonorans Reviews
As someone who has spent countless hours among the bookshelves of the Catalina Library, where knowledge meets the dramatic backdrop of the Sonoran Desert and the Catalina Mountains, I approached "The Arizona Triangle" with both professional curiosity and personal connection. What I discovered was far more than just another mystery novel – it's a bold, unapologetic exploration of identity, environmental justice, and the complex tapestry of modern Arizona life.
Christensen's protagonist, a queer PI working in an all-female detective agency, represents a refreshing departure from the traditionally masculine-dominated noir genre.
As a social justice activist, I particularly appreciated how the author weaves LGBTQ+ themes naturally throughout the narrative, making them integral to the story rather than mere tokenism. This representation matters, especially in our current political climate, where book banning threatens to silence Arizona's diverse voices in the legislative district with the book-banning state Senator.
The mathematical precision of Christensen's plotting particularly appealed to my former academic self. Like a well-constructed proof, each story element builds upon the last, creating an elegant solution to the mystery at hand. The author's clever use of renamed locations – Delphi standing in for Oracle, Plato Valley for Oro Valley, you can guess what Mandarin Road is – creates an engaging puzzle for local readers while maintaining the narrative's universal accessibility.
What truly sets this book apart is its environmental consciousness. The author draws powerful parallels between the ancient Hohokam civilization's exodus due to drought and our contemporary water crisis. As cotton fields continue to consume precious desert water, Christensen's narrative serves as a poignant reminder of history's cyclical nature. This isn't just background detail; it's a crucial commentary on sustainability and our relationship with the land.
The vivid descriptions of Northern Tucson's landscape are more than mere scene-setting – they're a love letter to the region's unique beauty. From the saguaro-studded hills to the dramatic play of light across the Catalinas, Christensen captures the essence of our desert home with remarkable precision.
However, readers should note this isn't your typical "cozy mystery." The book tackles mature themes and complex social issues head-on, potentially making it controversial among our more conservative state legislators.
But isn't that precisely what good literature should do—challenge us, make us think, and spark important conversations?
For visitors and snowbirds, "The Arizona Triangle" offers an authentic glimpse into our corner of the Southwest, beyond the tourist brochures and retirement community advertisements. For locals, it provides a fresh perspective on familiar places, encouraging us to see our community through new eyes.
Final Verdict: Christensen has crafted a sophisticated mystery that doubles as a vital commentary on contemporary Arizona life. While the spicy content might raise eyebrows in certain circles, this only underscores its importance in our current cultural moment. As both a librarian and advocate for diverse voices in literature, I believe "The Arizona Triangle" deserves a prominent place on our shelves – and in our discussions about what makes contemporary mystery fiction relevant and meaningful.
Rating: 4.5/5 Saguaros 🌵
(A half saguaro deducted only because some of our more sensitive book club members might find certain themes challenging – though personally, I consider this a feature rather than a bug.)
by Kate Christensen, aka “Sydney Graves”
By Three Sonorans Reviews
As someone who has spent countless hours among the bookshelves of the Catalina Library, where knowledge meets the dramatic backdrop of the Sonoran Desert and the Catalina Mountains, I approached "The Arizona Triangle" with both professional curiosity and personal connection. What I discovered was far more than just another mystery novel – it's a bold, unapologetic exploration of identity, environmental justice, and the complex tapestry of modern Arizona life.
Christensen's protagonist, a queer PI working in an all-female detective agency, represents a refreshing departure from the traditionally masculine-dominated noir genre.
As a social justice activist, I particularly appreciated how the author weaves LGBTQ+ themes naturally throughout the narrative, making them integral to the story rather than mere tokenism. This representation matters, especially in our current political climate, where book banning threatens to silence Arizona's diverse voices in the legislative district with the book-banning state Senator.
The mathematical precision of Christensen's plotting particularly appealed to my former academic self. Like a well-constructed proof, each story element builds upon the last, creating an elegant solution to the mystery at hand. The author's clever use of renamed locations – Delphi standing in for Oracle, Plato Valley for Oro Valley, you can guess what Mandarin Road is – creates an engaging puzzle for local readers while maintaining the narrative's universal accessibility.
What truly sets this book apart is its environmental consciousness. The author draws powerful parallels between the ancient Hohokam civilization's exodus due to drought and our contemporary water crisis. As cotton fields continue to consume precious desert water, Christensen's narrative serves as a poignant reminder of history's cyclical nature. This isn't just background detail; it's a crucial commentary on sustainability and our relationship with the land.
The vivid descriptions of Northern Tucson's landscape are more than mere scene-setting – they're a love letter to the region's unique beauty. From the saguaro-studded hills to the dramatic play of light across the Catalinas, Christensen captures the essence of our desert home with remarkable precision.
However, readers should note this isn't your typical "cozy mystery." The book tackles mature themes and complex social issues head-on, potentially making it controversial among our more conservative state legislators.
But isn't that precisely what good literature should do—challenge us, make us think, and spark important conversations?
For visitors and snowbirds, "The Arizona Triangle" offers an authentic glimpse into our corner of the Southwest, beyond the tourist brochures and retirement community advertisements. For locals, it provides a fresh perspective on familiar places, encouraging us to see our community through new eyes.
Final Verdict: Christensen has crafted a sophisticated mystery that doubles as a vital commentary on contemporary Arizona life. While the spicy content might raise eyebrows in certain circles, this only underscores its importance in our current cultural moment. As both a librarian and advocate for diverse voices in literature, I believe "The Arizona Triangle" deserves a prominent place on our shelves – and in our discussions about what makes contemporary mystery fiction relevant and meaningful.
Rating: 4.5/5 Saguaros 🌵
(A half saguaro deducted only because some of our more sensitive book club members might find certain themes challenging – though personally, I consider this a feature rather than a bug.)
July 1, 2025
3.5 stars
Pulled this local author book off the shelf at the library and it was quite the ride. It did feel like it was written by someone who has far less good things to say about the state of Arizona than they do bad things, many of which were an interesting take. I also have to say that I was disappointed that an Arizona native wrote about a character getting "bit be a scorpion" which is impossible. May seem silly, but was enough that I couldn't forget about it throughout the whole book. Other than that, the mystery was full of twists and turns, betrayal, surprises, and lots of character history. I enjoyed Ophelia's character, she was the perfect little doggy companion. This book was an interesting read and the mystery was satisfying.
Pulled this local author book off the shelf at the library and it was quite the ride. It did feel like it was written by someone who has far less good things to say about the state of Arizona than they do bad things, many of which were an interesting take. I also have to say that I was disappointed that an Arizona native wrote about a character getting "bit be a scorpion" which is impossible. May seem silly, but was enough that I couldn't forget about it throughout the whole book. Other than that, the mystery was full of twists and turns, betrayal, surprises, and lots of character history. I enjoyed Ophelia's character, she was the perfect little doggy companion. This book was an interesting read and the mystery was satisfying.
March 31, 2025
A cool mystery that kept me guessing till the end. I though the book was fast in some parts and slow in others, but overall, it was a decent mystery. I feel that some characters were added, and then just left with no rhyme or reason, especially when some were integral to the story. Also, I don't think that dropping some plot lines were smart, especially when they played a big part in the plot. Overall, this was a nice mystery that was a fun to read.
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January 30, 2025ha ha noooo rose don’t k*ll urself ur so sexy
the PI agency is based in Tucson but then this book takes place mostly outside of Tucson and that made me sad but all the parts in Tucson were good anyway I did just read this book for Tucson ❤️
the PI agency is based in Tucson but then this book takes place mostly outside of Tucson and that made me sad but all the parts in Tucson were good anyway I did just read this book for Tucson ❤️
July 25, 2025
Friendship ✔️ Animals ✔️ The mystery was sustained throughout and kept me guessing. The attention to detail created a nice steady climb but I wish there were more shifts in momentum. Jo Bailen got exactly what she wanted in every interrogation and we do too at the end
February 2, 2025
One of the first mystery books where I was genuinely shocked at who did it
March 15, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! Dark themes but lots of twists and character building. Looking forward to the next one! Audio version well narrated.
March 21, 2025
Really really good book but really annoying audiobook narrator
January 27, 2025
Interesting well written mystery. Characters vividly drawn. Great energy. Very human, relatable characters. Plot got a little convoluted for me by the end, but the story is propulsive. This novel is written under a pseudonym by an author who ordinarily writes literary fiction. You can tell it's written by a talented experienced author.
February 1, 2025
welp, I wasn’t expecting that 🧐🌵
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March 31, 2025Lots of good things about this mystery, especially its Tucson setting, but some details and plot points were just too gross or twisted for me.
September 26, 2025
I always like a mystery, and this one is a good one. A few too many characters at times, which made it harder to keep everything straight, it the premise was good and I like the character, Jo.
August 27, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
I felt myself wanting this book to end. It was slow and I felt like I didn’t like any of the characters. I also feel like the ending was rushed and quite frankly the reveal with at was made was to just shock readers. I don’t feel like it served any other purpose besides that. If so, there would’ve been more about the reveal, instead a brief “explanation” of how trauma can affect you.
I also feel some type of way about how the author says things. There’s a moment in the beginning while describing someone in recovery as a junkie and then towards the end, the MC talks about turning of “Cardi B mid cheap ass wig” I’m sure what the author was trying to convey here? Humor? It fell flat and problematic to say
I felt myself wanting this book to end. It was slow and I felt like I didn’t like any of the characters. I also feel like the ending was rushed and quite frankly the reveal with at was made was to just shock readers. I don’t feel like it served any other purpose besides that. If so, there would’ve been more about the reveal, instead a brief “explanation” of how trauma can affect you.
I also feel some type of way about how the author says things. There’s a moment in the beginning while describing someone in recovery as a junkie and then towards the end, the MC talks about turning of “Cardi B mid cheap ass wig” I’m sure what the author was trying to convey here? Humor? It fell flat and problematic to say
July 7, 2024
Strong debut to what hopefully will become a series. Reminiscent of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone albeit darker and queer.
November 13, 2024
Did not finish, maybe gave up too early but just couldn’t get into the characters or the story.
January 4, 2025
Unfortunately this book was a big miss for me and while most of that ties to the "shocking" twist at the end, there are also some other things that bothered me.
This book follows a private investigator Jo, hired to find her childhood best friend Rose, who has recently disappeared. The only problem is that said friend has stopped talking to her when she turned 14, except for a drug-fulled night to remember during Prom, and so our PI's information is not exactly up to date.
We dive deep into the Rose's life, from her various relationships (including one with a student at the university she was teaching at), her family life, the commune she lives on, her book publishing and her race-faking. All of this also leads us to explore our main character's life as she too grapples with her past and her relationship with Rose, including her relationship with her highschool boyfriend Tyler, who was the reason for their falling out.
I found the first 75% of the book to be mostly interesting and even though there is a bunch of genre-typical police positivity and a PI that mentions how scary it is to be shot at, when she worked as a police woman before, which felt weird ngl, the whole thing really went downhill when the big reveal happened. Before that my main issues with this story were that it was slow and the story's use of ableist language (calling an addict a j*nkie and using the term schizoid to refer to the weather), misogynistic language & asexuality equated to softness (calling a man a "pussy" for not being interested in sex) as well as the fact that the student/professor relationship heavily blamed the student for going along with it (since he was expecting a recommendation out of it.)
I did like the idea of a bisexual PI having to investigate her own past to solve a case and I liked that she's bisexual, but that was by far not enough to balance out the really bad ending.
Here be spoilers & discussions of csa & incest.
We find out that Rose has been murdered! By her own brother! But why? Well, isn't it obvious? As Rose was sexually abused by her father as a child, she made her two brothers reenact Jo's and Tyler's relationship and forced them to have sex and her younger brother, who was raped by his older brother, has now gone "psychotic" (actual word used to describe him. Looove the ableist language here so much!) and decided to kill everybody who was involved in that, including Jo & Tyler. Makes sense right? It's not completely out of the left field and with horrible depictions of abuse survivors to boot! Right?
While csa played a role in the story before, when we found out that Rose had been sexually abused by her father as a child (foreshadowed through mentions of her often sexual play with Jo), I did not see the end coming. And I hated it. It not only portrays abuse survivors as evil (because either you will rape your own siblings or you will kill everybody, even people who weren't directly involved. Sure.), it also does a disservice to the horrifying abuse that is cocsa. The older brother, who was made to rape his younger brother, even now calls him a pussy for not wanting to have sex and somehow, he is still the best character out of the three of them. The younger brother has decided murder is the only way to heal and has used the abuse to manipulate his sister through guilt. And the sister only shows remorse seconds before she's murdered.
While csa can absolutely make children hurt other children I do not think it was handled well here at all. It felt more like a convinient way to tie the story together and to be allowed to have a ~crazy~ murderer, whose actions cannot be predicted, because he's soooooo ~crazy~. He even murders a woman, who has helped him pull this whole thing off, just because.
Oh and in the end he dies. Because why would a life that's so messed up by trauma and abuse need any space to heal or get better or find a way not to abuse others or murder everybody? That's what trauma does, right? Hurt people hurt people, after all. Definitely one of the worse depictions of csa I've read in a while and I cannot believe this was published in 2024.
I also think the difference in depictions in differences between the brothers (the older one, who got to play the active role vs the younger one, who was not only forced to take on the passive role, but also forcible feminized, made to wear dresses and pretend to be a woman) is gross and falls in line with a lot of horror tropes of a male child being forced into femininity by an abuser only to turn around and become a monster. Again, not something I expected to see in 2024.
Trigger warnings:
examined in story: racefaking (claiming an indigenous identity), white feminism (claiming that a focus on BIPOC women somehow cheapens feminist solidarity), corrupt police, murder, child abuse, csa, incest, abuse between siblings, abuse between child and father
not examined: genre typical police positivity, a male student sexually exploited by a female professor and why he's kinda victim blamed for it, csa to explain why someone's evil, aphobic language, misogynistic language, ableist language towards addicts and people with personality disorders and psychosis, abuse victims who are murdered/killed
This book follows a private investigator Jo, hired to find her childhood best friend Rose, who has recently disappeared. The only problem is that said friend has stopped talking to her when she turned 14, except for a drug-fulled night to remember during Prom, and so our PI's information is not exactly up to date.
We dive deep into the Rose's life, from her various relationships (including one with a student at the university she was teaching at), her family life, the commune she lives on, her book publishing and her race-faking. All of this also leads us to explore our main character's life as she too grapples with her past and her relationship with Rose, including her relationship with her highschool boyfriend Tyler, who was the reason for their falling out.
I found the first 75% of the book to be mostly interesting and even though there is a bunch of genre-typical police positivity and a PI that mentions how scary it is to be shot at, when she worked as a police woman before, which felt weird ngl, the whole thing really went downhill when the big reveal happened. Before that my main issues with this story were that it was slow and the story's use of ableist language (calling an addict a j*nkie and using the term schizoid to refer to the weather), misogynistic language & asexuality equated to softness (calling a man a "pussy" for not being interested in sex) as well as the fact that the student/professor relationship heavily blamed the student for going along with it (since he was expecting a recommendation out of it.)
I did like the idea of a bisexual PI having to investigate her own past to solve a case and I liked that she's bisexual, but that was by far not enough to balance out the really bad ending.
Here be spoilers & discussions of csa & incest.
We find out that Rose has been murdered! By her own brother! But why? Well, isn't it obvious? As Rose was sexually abused by her father as a child, she made her two brothers reenact Jo's and Tyler's relationship and forced them to have sex and her younger brother, who was raped by his older brother, has now gone "psychotic" (actual word used to describe him. Looove the ableist language here so much!) and decided to kill everybody who was involved in that, including Jo & Tyler. Makes sense right? It's not completely out of the left field and with horrible depictions of abuse survivors to boot! Right?
While csa played a role in the story before, when we found out that Rose had been sexually abused by her father as a child (foreshadowed through mentions of her often sexual play with Jo), I did not see the end coming. And I hated it. It not only portrays abuse survivors as evil (because either you will rape your own siblings or you will kill everybody, even people who weren't directly involved. Sure.), it also does a disservice to the horrifying abuse that is cocsa. The older brother, who was made to rape his younger brother, even now calls him a pussy for not wanting to have sex and somehow, he is still the best character out of the three of them. The younger brother has decided murder is the only way to heal and has used the abuse to manipulate his sister through guilt. And the sister only shows remorse seconds before she's murdered.
While csa can absolutely make children hurt other children I do not think it was handled well here at all. It felt more like a convinient way to tie the story together and to be allowed to have a ~crazy~ murderer, whose actions cannot be predicted, because he's soooooo ~crazy~. He even murders a woman, who has helped him pull this whole thing off, just because.
Oh and in the end he dies. Because why would a life that's so messed up by trauma and abuse need any space to heal or get better or find a way not to abuse others or murder everybody? That's what trauma does, right? Hurt people hurt people, after all. Definitely one of the worse depictions of csa I've read in a while and I cannot believe this was published in 2024.
I also think the difference in depictions in differences between the brothers (the older one, who got to play the active role vs the younger one, who was not only forced to take on the passive role, but also forcible feminized, made to wear dresses and pretend to be a woman) is gross and falls in line with a lot of horror tropes of a male child being forced into femininity by an abuser only to turn around and become a monster. Again, not something I expected to see in 2024.
Trigger warnings:
examined in story: racefaking (claiming an indigenous identity), white feminism (claiming that a focus on BIPOC women somehow cheapens feminist solidarity), corrupt police, murder, child abuse, csa, incest, abuse between siblings, abuse between child and father
not examined: genre typical police positivity, a male student sexually exploited by a female professor and why he's kinda victim blamed for it, csa to explain why someone's evil, aphobic language, misogynistic language, ableist language towards addicts and people with personality disorders and psychosis, abuse victims who are murdered/killed
December 23, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Sydney Graves' "The Arizona Triangle" is a captivating addition to the detective genre, seamlessly blending mystery, intrigue, and the stark beauty of the American Southwest. The novel introduces readers to Jo Bailen, a tenacious and resourceful detective whose sharp instincts and relentless drive anchor this riveting tale.
The story begins with the discovery of a body in the enigmatic Arizona Triangle, a region plagued by unexplained phenomena and eerie disappearances. From the outset, Graves masterfully establishes an atmosphere of suspense, with the desolate desert landscape playing as much a role as any character in the unfolding drama.
Jo Bailen emerges as a multifaceted protagonist, navigating personal demons while piecing together a complex puzzle. Her character is both relatable and inspiring, embodying a blend of vulnerability and steely determination. Graves’ portrayal of Bailen is nuanced, capturing the emotional toll of detective work without sacrificing the pace or tension of the narrative.
The plot is a well-crafted labyrinth of twists and turns, keeping readers on their toes with unexpected revelations and red herrings. Graves' writing shines in the detailed and evocative descriptions of the Arizona landscape, making it a vivid backdrop for the unfolding mystery. The interplay between the natural setting and the eerie occurrences within the Triangle adds a unique layer to the story, setting it apart from conventional detective novels.
The supporting characters are richly developed, each adding depth and complexity to the central mystery. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, further immersing readers in the world Graves has created. The pacing is brisk but measured, ensuring that the tension never wanes while allowing room for character development and subplots to flourish.
"The Arizona Triangle" is a thrilling detective novel; it’s a study of human resilience and the mysteries that lie within and beyond our understanding. Sydney Graves has penned a compelling tale that will keep readers guessing until the final page, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.
A masterful blend of mystery and character-driven storytelling, "The Arizona Triangle" is a winner.
Sydney Graves' "The Arizona Triangle" is a captivating addition to the detective genre, seamlessly blending mystery, intrigue, and the stark beauty of the American Southwest. The novel introduces readers to Jo Bailen, a tenacious and resourceful detective whose sharp instincts and relentless drive anchor this riveting tale.
The story begins with the discovery of a body in the enigmatic Arizona Triangle, a region plagued by unexplained phenomena and eerie disappearances. From the outset, Graves masterfully establishes an atmosphere of suspense, with the desolate desert landscape playing as much a role as any character in the unfolding drama.
Jo Bailen emerges as a multifaceted protagonist, navigating personal demons while piecing together a complex puzzle. Her character is both relatable and inspiring, embodying a blend of vulnerability and steely determination. Graves’ portrayal of Bailen is nuanced, capturing the emotional toll of detective work without sacrificing the pace or tension of the narrative.
The plot is a well-crafted labyrinth of twists and turns, keeping readers on their toes with unexpected revelations and red herrings. Graves' writing shines in the detailed and evocative descriptions of the Arizona landscape, making it a vivid backdrop for the unfolding mystery. The interplay between the natural setting and the eerie occurrences within the Triangle adds a unique layer to the story, setting it apart from conventional detective novels.
The supporting characters are richly developed, each adding depth and complexity to the central mystery. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, further immersing readers in the world Graves has created. The pacing is brisk but measured, ensuring that the tension never wanes while allowing room for character development and subplots to flourish.
"The Arizona Triangle" is a thrilling detective novel; it’s a study of human resilience and the mysteries that lie within and beyond our understanding. Sydney Graves has penned a compelling tale that will keep readers guessing until the final page, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.
A masterful blend of mystery and character-driven storytelling, "The Arizona Triangle" is a winner.
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